welcome to the complete vlatos jazz video archives (2018-2025)
Welcome to the Complete Vlatos Jazz Video Archives (2018–2025) — a timeless digital treasury of every season captured live from the historic 150-year-old stone church (Vlatos Music Hall) in the mountain village of Vlatos, western Crete.Since the festival’s humble launch in 2018 by the volunteer-run Cultural Society “New Horizons” curated by renowned violinist Maria Manousaki, we’ve documented every Sunday summer concert in high-contrast black-and-white footage—intentionally shot on an old Lumix camera to evoke a classic, cinematic intimacy that strips away color and focuses purely on sound, expression, shadow, and soul.
These are not polished studio productions: they are raw, acoustic recordings of unplugged jazz, world music, and Cretan fusion performed in front of small live audiences (~50 seats), with only candlelight, mountain breezes, and the natural echo of ancient stone walls. The monochrome aesthetic—by design—highlights textures of instruments, the passion in musicians’ faces, the play of light and shadow, and the timeless magic of the moment.
What You’ll Find Here
- 8 Full Seasons (2018–2025): From the pioneering 2018 experiments to the mature, star-studded 2025 lineup.
- Hundreds of Clips & Full Sets: Featuring Greek/Cretan legends (e.g., Zacharias Spyridakis, Michalis Loufardakis, Lefteris Papadakis), international guests (e.g., Ross Daly, Pekka Pylkkänen, Ariacne Trujillo, Duke Guillaume), and Maria Manousaki’s own quartets/bands in originals and standards.
- Curated Playlists: Season-by-season collections (S01 2018 through S08 2025) plus thematic ones like “The Jazz Playlist” (best tunes) and “Vlatos Super Jazz” (top-viewed highlights).
- Pure Acoustic Focus: No amplification—just voices, strings, winds, percussion, and the church’s natural resonance.
All videos are freely available on our official YouTube channel: Vlatos Jazz Live Acoustic Recordings from Crete @VlatosJazz (youtube.com/@VlatosJazz) — 695+ subscribers, 391+ videos as of early 2026.Dive in to relive (or discover for the first time) the soul-stirring nights that have made Vlatos Jazz a hidden Cretan treasure: intimate, sustainable, community-powered, and forever captured in stark black-and-white elegance.
Start exploring
Season playlists are labeled S01 through S08 for easy navigation
Questions or want to support the next season? Contact us at jazz@vlatos.gr or visit vlatos.gr/events for 2026 updates. Thank you for joining us in preserving these moments—pure music, pure Crete.